How to Prepare an Official High School Transcript for Your Homeschool Graduate

UPDATED: My oldest daughter received a full academic college scholarship using the high school transcript I created with this method.

Would you like to know how to prepare an official high school transcript for your homeschool graduate?

Whether you are just beginning to homeschool your preschooler, or are nearing the end of your homeschool journey, knowing how to prepare an official transcript is knowledge that will most likely come in handy sooner or later.

Since our 17 year old, in true first born fashion, finished her high school courses early, and already has colleges calling, mailing, and emailing, I knuckled down and did quite a bit of research to put together an official high school transcript for her.

The college she has chosen has excused her from an entrance exam and much of the application process because she scored in the top 5% on her SAT test. One thing they did request, though, was a high school transcript.

Here are the steps I took to put together an official high school transcript for our homeschool graduate.

Find out the graduation requirements for your state.

In our case, I did a Google search for “Texas high school graduation requirements”. This should be done upon entering the high school years.

Use those requirements with this high school credit planner, and pencil in what courses your child needs to complete by graduation.

This can be fairly flexible. Your state, like Texas, may not even require that you meet all state requirements, but this will be a good indication of what colleges will expect from a high school graduate.

Comments

So…my oldest is in 7th and the only thing we actually grade is math. Where do the grades for high school courses come from? Did you actually grade everything she did, or just give her an A if she met requirements?

Yes, you MUST “worry” about grades. You need accurate assessments to assess mastery of subjects and you need up-to-date, accurate, recorded grades in a gradebook and more importantly on a verifiable, official homeschool transcript. If not, you can be audited, you will have issues with college admissions (must have a clear, professional-looking, official transcript to apply), and you will need the transcript for getting a permit/drivers license (proof of school attendance). As a retired high school teacher, and homeschool teacher of three teens, I promise you you need to be giving at a minimum, grades for projects, exams, and essays. Other grades can be for quizzes or even daily work if you want. This prepares them for how college works and the projects/essays/exams ensure they have mastered the concepts. You MUST have accurate assessments that knowledge has been attained and concepts mastered. These grades must be recorded and maintained on a transcript for college. You can include the PSAT/SAT scores on the bottom of the transcript. Both my older kids scored over 1220 on the SAT, but still had to submit a transcript, just to take dual credit courses at the local junior college. We had to repeat the entire admissions process when they applied as full-time students at the same college.

Homeschool teachers: You need to be keeping up-to-date, accurate, recorded grades in a gradebook and more importantly on a verifiable, official homeschool transcript. If not, you can be audited, you will have issues with college admissions (must have a clear, professional-looking, official transcript to apply), and you will need the transcript for getting a permit/drivers license (proof of school attendance).

As a retired high school teacher, and homeschool teacher of three teens, I promise you you need to be giving at a minimum, grades for projects, exams, and essays. Other grades can be for quizzes or even daily work if you want. This prepares them for how college works and the projects/essays/exams ensure they have mastered the concepts. You MUST have accurate assessments that knowledge has been attained and concepts mastered. These grades must be recorded and maintained on a transcript for college. You can include the PSAT/SAT scores on the bottom of the transcript. Both my older kids scored over 1220 on the SAT, but still had to submit a transcript, just to take dual credit courses at the local junior college. We had to repeat the entire admissions process when they applied as full-time students at the same college.

My son is only 11 but I have put this on my Pinterest for the future, also forwarded it to my Homeschool support group and my Homeschool Extension classes.
Thanks! I hope to meet you at the Women’s Summit! Only 2-1/2 weeks! I am excited.

Since many schools want an official transcript in a sealed envelope, we got quality paper and envelopes, and had a stamp made up with our homeschool name. Whenever I need to send a transcript, I seal the envelope and stamp across the seal. I’ve noticed that many transcripts are done that way.

I’d like to suggest something else: Don’t forget to check high school graduation requirements yearly, as they have a way of changing. You might end up knocking yourself out on a course, only to find later that it is no longer necessary!

Congrats to your daughter on her high SAT score. GOOD job. Was that in the 5% nationally? Any AP exams? Is she receiving a scholarship for college?
As an aside, and out of curiosity, I know that you advocate a lot of Vision Forum products. Everything that I’ve read on other blogs from those who also sell or write about those products, usually support the idea of women/girls staying home until marriage. I understand that everyone doesn’t think alike (nor should they), but, obviously, you don’t adhere to that philosophy.

Just a couple comments: 1. I have graduated 5 students and made transcripts. I didn’t notarize any of their transcripts and they all went to college with varying amounts of scholarships from full ride to full tuition. Notarizing is a good idea, but not necessary.
2. Beginning in high school, I do grade tests and average scores to give them grades. Grades are up to the teacher, but they should agree with your standardized tests. If your student makes average scores on SAT/ACT and you give them all A’s, that will look like a discrepancy.
3. The high school transcript does not get your student a scholarship. While an official transcript is required, high SAT/ACT scores, as well as leadership and extra-curricular involvement are what help land scholarships.

I just started homeschooling my stepdaughter. We pulled her out of her junior year at public school. I am doing some grading so she’ll have a transcript. My only fear is that her grades from public school will be dramatically different from those at home school. They truly failed her, and I’m working to remediate. Should I include a note about the drastic change or leave things as they are? Transcripts aren’t required, but if she decides to go to college, they’d be extremely helpful!

Do not include a note. Add in all the public school grades onto one transcript and average everything. Keep your public school transcript and submit it with your four-year, complete, finalized homeschool transcript. This worked perfectly for us! Our teens were admitted into college without too many difficulties. Also, my electronic grade book includes categories for averaging exams, projects, and essays only for most subjects. This is consistent with the grading process most professors use. Daily grades or quizzes can be added, but I found intelligent high-schoolers don’t require much daily (busy) work. Math is probably the ONLY course requiring consistent daily work.

Valuable info. Thank you. My son who began homeschooling his 11th grade year has excelled tremendously. We didn’t know anyone who homeschooled their child so this has been a journey full of ‘find outs’. Thank you for your detailed info so I can make him his official high school transcript.